City officials urging citizens to not flush “disposable” wipes down the toilet

Water and Sewer Departments from all local communities are urging citizens to not flush anything but toilet paper down their toilets. Items such as disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, napkins, paper towels and tissues have been clogging up community sanitary sewer systems, and may very likely do the same to individual residential or business sewer systems as well. Many of these products are labeled “flushable” or “septic safe,” but have proven not to be.

Because they don’t break down and decompose the way toilet paper does, disposable wipes clog homeowner and municipal sewer pipes, put stress on community wastewater collection and treatment equipment, and cause cities to spend thousands on premature equipment repair and replacement, according to local Water and Sewer authorities.

Although such items as disinfectant wipes have become an important part of fighting the current COVID-19 virus, and substitutes have had to be made in light of toilet paper shortages in some locations, these items should not be flushed down the toilet, but instead placed in a separate trash receptacle if individuals do not want them mixing with their regular trash. Citizens can contact their local Water Department or City Clerk’s Office for more details.